US6491373B1 — Printing method and a printing apparatus

Claim 1

Independent Claim 136 words

A printing method using a print head on which a plurality of print elements are arranged, said method comprising the steps of: forming an image on a printing medium by scanning the print head in a direction different from said arranging direction of the plurality of print elements and forming adjoining N rasters of the image in the arranging direction under different conditions; and allocating input image data quantized into multi-valued levels to dot arrangements before the image formation, said allocating step further comprising the steps of: applying a plurality of the dot arrangements mutually different from each other to a same level of the input image data; cyclically changing the dot arrangement used in the scan direction according to predetermined rules, and equalizing a number of dots of the adjoining N rasters in a cycle.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 136 words

A printing method using a print head on which a plurality of print elements are arranged, said method comprising the steps of: forming an image on a printing medium by scanning the print head in a direction different from said arranging direction of the plurality of print elements and forming adjoining N rasters of the image in the arranging direction under different conditions; and allocating input image data quantized into multi-valued levels to dot arrangements before the image formation, said allocating step further comprising the steps of: applying a plurality of the dot arrangements mutually different from each other to a same level of the input image data; cyclically changing the dot arrangement used in the scan direction according to predetermined rules, and equalizing a number of dots of the adjoining N rasters in a cycle.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 53 words

A printing method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein, in said equalization step, differences in a covering ratio of the printing medium with formed dots are within 10% or less in a range where the adjoining N rasters are deviated from each other by at least ±2 pixels in the scan direction.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 66 words

A printing method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the print head has N columns of print elements arranged side by side in the scan direction, the N columns of print elements are shifted from each other by an amount less than a pitch at which the print elements are arranged in the column, and the N columns of print elements print the N rasters.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 98 words

A printing method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said method is applied to an apparatus, in which the print head is operated to scan the printing medium in forward and backward directions, and the image formation is carried out by relatively transporting the printing medium in a direction perpendicular to the scan directions by quantities for printing at a density higher than an arranging density of the plurality of print elements between the forward and backward scanning, and the printing of the N(=2) rasters is carried out by the scanning in the forward and backward directions.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 31 words

A printing method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a step of carrying out an adjustment of drive timings to the plurality of print elements in the N rasters.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 33 words

A printing method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the print head is one which carries out printing by ejecting ink, and the print elements have ejection openings for ejecting the ink.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 38 words

A printing method as claimed in claim 6 , wherein said print head has heating elements to generate thermal energy for causing film boiling in the ink as an energy for ejecting the ink from the ejection openings.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 135 words

A printing apparatus using a print head on which a plurality of print elements are arranged, said apparatus comprising: a unit for forming an image on a printing medium by scanning said print head in a direction different from said arranging direction of the plurality of print elements and forming adjoining N rasters of the image in said arranging direction under different conditions; and a unit for allocating input image data quantized into multi-valued levels to dot arrangements before said image formation, said allocating unit applying a plurality of said dot arrangements mutually different from each other to a same level of said input image data, cyclically changing said dot arrangement used in said scan direction according to predetermined rules, and equalizing a number of dots of said adjoining N rasters in a one cycle.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 135 words

A printing apparatus using a print head on which a plurality of print elements are arranged, said apparatus comprising: a unit for forming an image on a printing medium by scanning said print head in a direction different from said arranging direction of the plurality of print elements and forming adjoining N rasters of the image in said arranging direction under different conditions; and a unit for allocating input image data quantized into multi-valued levels to dot arrangements before said image formation, said allocating unit applying a plurality of said dot arrangements mutually different from each other to a same level of said input image data, cyclically changing said dot arrangement used in said scan direction according to predetermined rules, and equalizing a number of dots of said adjoining N rasters in a one cycle.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 56 words

A printing apparatus as claimed in claim 8 , wherein said allocating unit, in said equalization processing, puts differences in a covering ratio of said printing medium with formed dots within 10% or less in a range where said adjoining N rasters are deviated from each other by at least ±2 pixels in said scan direction.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 66 words

A printing apparatus as claimed in claim 8 , wherein said print head has N columns of print elements arranged side by side in said scan direction, said N columns of print elements are shifted from each other by an amount less than a pitch at which said print elements are arranged in the column, and said N columns of print elements print said N rasters.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 89 words

A printing apparatus as claimed in claim 8 , wherein said print head is operated to scan said printing medium in forward and backward directions, and said image formation is carried out by relatively transporting said printing medium in a direction perpendicular to said scan directions by quantities for printing at a density higher than an arranging density of said plurality of print elements between said forward and backward scanning, and the printing of said N(=2) rasters is carried out by the scanning in said forward and backward directions.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 30 words

A printing apparatus as claimed in claim 8 , further comprising means for carrying out an adjustment of drive timings to said plurality of print elements in said N rasters.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 34 words

A printing apparatus as claimed in claim 8 , wherein said print head is the one which carries out printing by ejecting ink, and said print elements have ejection openings for ejecting said ink.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 38 words

A printing apparatus as claimed in claim 13 , wherein said print head has heating elements to generate thermal energy for causing film boiling in said ink as an energy for ejecting said ink from said ejection openings.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 150 words

A control method of a printing apparatus for printing by using a print head on which a plurality of print elements are arranged, said method comprising the steps of: controlling the print head to form adjoining N rasters of an image in the arranging direction of the plurality of print elements under different conditions when the image on a printing medium is formed by scanning the print head in a direction different from the arranging direction; and allocating input image data quantized into multi-valued levels to dot arrangements before the image formation, said allocating step further comprising the steps of: applying a plurality of the dot arrangements mutually different from each other to a same level of the input image data; cyclically changing the dot arrangement used in the scan direction according to predetermined rules, and equalizing a number of dots of the adjoining N rasters in a one cycle.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 150 words

A control method of a printing apparatus for printing by using a print head on which a plurality of print elements are arranged, said method comprising the steps of: controlling the print head to form adjoining N rasters of an image in the arranging direction of the plurality of print elements under different conditions when the image on a printing medium is formed by scanning the print head in a direction different from the arranging direction; and allocating input image data quantized into multi-valued levels to dot arrangements before the image formation, said allocating step further comprising the steps of: applying a plurality of the dot arrangements mutually different from each other to a same level of the input image data; cyclically changing the dot arrangement used in the scan direction according to predetermined rules, and equalizing a number of dots of the adjoining N rasters in a one cycle.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 160 words

A program for performing a control method of a printing by means of a computer, said apparatus for printing by using a print head on which a plurality of print elements are arranged, said method comprising the steps of: controlling the print head to form adjoining N rasters of an image in the arranging direction of the plurality of print elements under different conditions when the image on a printing medium is formed by scanning the print head in a direction different from the arranging direction; and allocating input image data quantized into multi-valued levels to dot arrangements before the image formation, said allocating step further comprising the steps of: applying a plurality of the dot arrangements mutually different from each other to a same level of the input image data; cyclically changing the dot arrangement used in the scan direction according to predetermined rules, and equalizing a number of dots of the adjoining N rasters in a one cycle.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 160 words

A program for performing a control method of a printing by means of a computer, said apparatus for printing by using a print head on which a plurality of print elements are arranged, said method comprising the steps of: controlling the print head to form adjoining N rasters of an image in the arranging direction of the plurality of print elements under different conditions when the image on a printing medium is formed by scanning the print head in a direction different from the arranging direction; and allocating input image data quantized into multi-valued levels to dot arrangements before the image formation, said allocating step further comprising the steps of: applying a plurality of the dot arrangements mutually different from each other to a same level of the input image data; cyclically changing the dot arrangement used in the scan direction according to predetermined rules, and equalizing a number of dots of the adjoining N rasters in a one cycle.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 125 words

A printing method according to claim 1 , wherein the dot arrangement is a pattern in which the dots are arranged within a matrix expanding in both the raster direction corresponding to the scan direction and the column direction corresponding to the arranging direction of the print elements, wherein a plurality of the dot arrangements to be used are patterns in which the dots are arranged in the odd-numbered columns and in which the dots are arranged in even-numbered columns, wherein the cyclically changing step varies the dot arrangement to be used by alternate uses of the pattern in which the dots are arranged in the odd-numbered columns and the pattern in which the dots are arranged in the even-numbered columns repeatedly in this order.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 112 words

A printing method according to claim 17 , wherein the plurality of dot arrangements to be used comprise a first pattern in which the dots are arranged in odd-numbered columns and odd-numbered rasters, a second pattern in which the dots are arranged in even-numbered columns and odd-numbered rasters, a third pattern in which the dots are arranged in odd-numbered columns and even-numbered rasters and a fourth pattern in which the dots are arranged in even-numbered columns and even-numbered rasters, wherein the cyclically changing step varies the dot arrangements to be used by alternate uses of the first pattern, the second pattern, the third pattern, and the fourth pattern repeatedly in this order.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 144 words

A printing method according to claim 17 , wherein the dot arrangements are patterns in each of which the dots are arranged within an N×N matrix having an N dot size in the raster direction and in the column direction, wherein the plurality of dot arrangements to be used comprise a first pattern in which the dots are arranged in odd-numbered columns and odd-numbered rasters, a second pattern in which the dots are arranged in even-numbered columns and odd-numbered rasters, a third pattern in which the dots are arranged in odd-numbered columns and even-numbered rasters, and a fourth pattern in which the dots are arranged in even-numbered columns and even-numbered rasters, wherein the cyclically changing step varies the dot arrangements to be used by alternate uses of the first pattern, the second pattern, the third pattern, and the fourth pattern repeatedly in this order.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 128 words

A printing apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein said dot arrangement is a pattern in which said dots are arranged within a matrix expanding in both the raster direction corresponding to the scan direction and the column direction corresponding to the arranging direction of said print elements, wherein a plurality of said dot arrangements to be used are patterns in which said dots are arranged in the odd-numbered columns and in which said dots are arranged in even-numbered columns, wherein the cyclical changing of said dot arrangement varies said dot arrangement to be used by alternate uses of said pattern in which said dots are arranged in the odd-numbered columns and said pattern in which said dots are arranged in the even-numbered columns repeatedly in this order.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 115 words

A printing apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein said plurality of dot arrangements to be used comprise a first pattern in which said dots are arranged in odd-numbered columns and odd-numbered rasters, a second pattern in which said dots are arranged in even-numbered columns and odd-numbered rasters, a third pattern in which said dots are arranged in odd-numbered columns and even-numbered rasters, and a fourth pattern in which said dots are arranged in even-numbered columns and even-numbered rasters, wherein the cyclical changing of said dot arrangement varies said dot arrangement to be used by alternate uses of said first pattern, said second pattern, said third pattern, and said fourth pattern repeatedly in this order.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 147 words

A printing apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein said dot arrangements are patterns in each of which said dots are arranged within an N×N matrix having an N dot size in the raster direction and in the column direction, wherein said plurality of dot arrangements to be used comprise a first pattern in which said dots are arranged in odd-numbered columns and odd-numbered rasters, a second pattern in which said dots are arranged in even-numbered columns and odd-numbered rasters, a third pattern in which said dots are arranged in odd-numbered columns and even-numbered rasters, and a fourth pattern in which said dots are arranged in even-numbered columns and even-numbered rasters, wherein the cyclical changing of said dot arrangement varies said dot arrangement to be used by alternate uses of said first pattern, said second pattern, said third pattern, and said fourth pattern repeatedly in this order.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 125 words

A control method according to claim 15 , wherein the dot arrangement is a pattern in which the dots are arranged within a matrix expanding in both the raster direction corresponding to the scan direction and the column direction corresponding to the arranging direction of the print elements, wherein a plurality of the dot arrangements to be used are patterns in which the dots are arranged in the odd-numbered columns and in which the dots are arranged in even-numbered columns, wherein the cyclically changing step varies the dot arrangement to be used by alternate uses of the pattern in which the dots are arranged in the odd-numbered columns and the pattern in which the dots are arranged in the even-numbered columns repeatedly in this order.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 112 words

A control method according to claim 23 , wherein the plurality of dot arrangements to be used comprise a first pattern in which the dots are arranged in odd-numbered columns and odd-numbered rasters, a second pattern in which the dots are arranged in even-numbered columns and odd-numbered rasters, a third pattern in which the dots are arranged in odd-numbered columns and even-numbered rasters and a fourth pattern in which the dots are arranged in even-numbered columns and even-numbered rasters, wherein the cyclically changing step varies the dot arrangements to be used by alternate uses of the first pattern, the second pattern, the third pattern, and the fourth pattern repeatedly in this order.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 144 words

A control method according to claim 23 , wherein the dot arrangements are patterns in each of which the dots are arranged within an N×N matrix having an N dot size in the raster direction and in the column direction, wherein the plurality of dot arrangements to be used comprise a first pattern in which the dots are arranged in odd-numbered columns and odd-numbered rasters, a second pattern in which the dots are arranged in even-numbered columns and odd-numbered rasters, a third pattern in which the dots are arranged in odd-numbered columns and even-numbered rasters, and a fourth pattern in which the dots are arranged in even-numbered columns and even-numbered rasters, wherein the cyclically changing step varies the dot arrangements to be used by alternate uses of the first pattern, the second pattern, the third pattern, and the fourth pattern repeatedly in this order.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 124 words

A program according to claim 16 , wherein the dot arrangement is a pattern in which the dots are arranged within a matrix expanding in both the raster direction corresponding to the scan direction and the column direction corresponding to the arranging direction of the print elements, wherein a plurality of the dot arrangements to be used are patterns in which the dots are arranged in the odd-numbered columns and in which the dots are arranged in even-numbered columns, wherein the cyclically changing step varies the dot arrangement to be used by alternate uses of the pattern in which the dots are arranged in the odd-numbered columns and the pattern in which the dots are arranged in the even-numbered columns repeatedly in this order.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 111 words

A program according to claim 26 , wherein the plurality of dot arrangements to be used comprise a first pattern in which the dots are arranged in odd-numbered columns and odd-numbered rasters, a second pattern in which the dots are arranged in even-numbered columns and odd-numbered rasters, a third pattern in which the dots are arranged in odd-numbered columns and even-numbered rasters and a fourth pattern in which the dots are arranged in even-numbered columns and even-numbered rasters, wherein the cyclically changing step varies the dot arrangments to be used by alternate uses of the first pattern, the second pattern, the third pattern, and the fourth pattern repeatedly in this order.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 143 words

A program according to claim 26 , wherein the dot arrangements are patterns in each of which the dots are arranged within an N×N matrix having a N dot size in the raster direction and in the column direction, wherein the plurality of dot arrangements to be used comprise a first pattern in which the dots are arranged in odd-numbered columns and odd-numbered rasters, a second pattern in which the dots are arranged in even-numbered columns and odd-numbered rasters, a third pattern in which the dots are arranged in odd-numbered columns and even-numbered rasters, and a fourth pattern in which the dots are arranged in even-numbered columns and even-numbered rasters, wherein the cyclically changing step varies the dot arrangements to be used by alternate uses of the first pattern, the second pattern, the third pattern, and the fourth pattern repeatedly in this order.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2005-12-09	2006-06-10	2006-12-10	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2009-12-09	2010-06-10	2010-12-10	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2013-12-09	2014-06-10	2014-12-10	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Printing method and a printing apparatus

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